The highway was littered with debris after a semi truck suffered a brake failure and its driver lost control.
It happened around 10 a.m. on Thursday on Highway 321 in Caldwell County, North Carolina.
Troopers reported that the driver’s mechanical failure left him without brakes for 8 miles. Because of the brake failure, the truck driver, Alan White, was unable to slow down while traveling down the steep highway.
WSOCTV reported that his truck crossed the center-line and traveled into oncoming traffic. That’s when two cars were struck by the truck’s siding that was falling off of the truck. His rig then crashed into a guardrail.
Officials stated that semi trucks should not exceed speeds over 35 m.p.h. on this road, but White was unable to stop. The trucker told reporters that he is happy to be alive.
White describe how he felt as he descended at full-speed. He said,
“I didn’t have no alternative but to get out of people’s way. Helpless feeling? It was very helpless.”
Another driver was moments away from colliding with the runaway truck. He stated, “Nothing much I could do, so I covered my face and rolled over to the side so if anything came through the windshield it wouldn’t hit my face.”
No one was seriously injured in the accident, and trucker White was grateful that their lives were spared. He explained,
“I was praying the whole time…and I thank God that I’m able to be here to talk about it.”
Police stated that White should have pulled over as soon as he realized there was an issue with his brakes. He was cited for failing to secure his load and for driving off center. No injuries were reported.
